But, don't despair. If you want to earn a lot of money, but don't necessarily want to earn a higher education, check out these 20 careers. Although you won't start out earning six figures, with your bachelor's degree in tow, you can easily work your way up with a goal.
Here are 20 high-paying jobs that only require a bachelor's degree:
1. Chief executives
Salary: $160,440
Education: Many top executives have a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, liberal arts or a more specialized discipline.
2. Natural sciences managers
Salary: $123,140
Education: Natural sciences managers usually move up to management positions after starting out in as scientists. They may have a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline.
3. Engineering managers
Salary: $120,580
Education: Engineering managers usually move up to management positions after starting out in as engineers. Nearly all engineering managers have at least a bachelor's degree in some specialty of engineering.
4. Petroleum engineers
Salary: $119,140
Education: Engineers usually earn a bachelor's degree in an engineering specialty.
5. Computer and information systems managers
Salary: $118,710
Education: A bachelor's degree in a computer-related field like computer science, information science or management information systems, is usually required for management positions.
6. Marketing managers
Salary: $118,160
Education: Employers often prefer a bachelor's or master's degree in marketing, or business administration with an emphasis in marketing.
7. Financial managers
Salary: $110,640
Education: A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration is the minimum academic preparation for financial managers, but many employers now seek graduates with a master's degree.
8. Sales managers
Salary: $110,390
Education: A wide range of educational backgrounds is suitable for entry into sales manager jobs, but many employers prefer college graduates with experience in related occupations. Most sales managers start out as sales representatives with a bachelor's degree in business.
9. General and operations managers
Salary: $107,970
Education: Just like their responsibilities, the formal education and experience required by general and operations managers vary. Most of these workers have at least a bachelor's degree and considerable experience.
10. Human resources managers, all other
Salary: $103,920
Education: A bachelor's degree is typical to break in to the human resources field. It should be noted, however, that many colleges and universities don't offer degree programs in personnel administration, human resources or labor relations until the graduate degree level. This particular salary applies to human resources managers other than payroll and timekeeping, labor relations managers and training managers.
11. Public relations managers
Salary: $101,220
Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in public relations or journalism is preferable for public relations management positions.
12. Judges, magistrate judges and magistrates
Salary: $100,450
Education: A bachelor's degree and work experience are usually the minimum requirements for judges and magistrates. Many workers have law degrees and some are elected.
13. Computer hardware engineers
Salary: $100,180
Education: Engineers usually earn a bachelor's degree in an engineering specialty.
14. Political scientists
Salary: $99,320
Education: Political scientists with a bachelor's degree usually qualify for entry-level positions as a market analyst, research assistant, writer or policy analyst.
15. Actuaries
Salary: $95,980
Education: A bachelor's degree and a strong background in mathematics, statistics and general business are needed to be an actuary. They're also required to pass a series of exams in order to become certified professionals.
16. Advertising and promotions managers
Salary: $94,720
Education: Employers often prefer a bachelor's degree in advertising or journalism, along with related courses.
17. Computer software engineers, systems software
Salary: $94,520
Education: A bachelor's degree is normally required for software engineering jobs, although a master's degree is preferred for some positions.
18. Purchasing managers
Salary: $94,300
Education: Most employers hire applicants who have a college degree and who are familiar with the merchandise they sell and with wholesaling and retailing practices. Workers may begin as trainees, purchasing clerks, junior buyers or assistant buyers.
19. Personal financial advisors
Salary: $92,970
Education: Personal financial advisors must have a bachelor's degree. Many go on to earn a master's degree in finance or business administration or get professional designations.
20. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents
Salary: $92,050
Education: Most positions require a bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or economics. An MBA or professional certification is helpful for advancement.
By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.
